Dogara: Reps tackle APC caucus, warn against impeachment

*As Gbajabiamila faces revolt from caucus
The Parliamentary Democrats Group (PDG) in the House of Representatives on Thursday cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus against distracting House members from discharging their legislative functions with their political ambitions ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The group also warned the APC against toying with the idea of impeaching Speaker Yakubu Dogara, declaring that such an attempt to destabilize the House will be resisted.

Spokesman for the PDG, Rep. Timothy Golu (PDP/Plateau), who gave the warning in a statement in Abuja, said that the group has watched with consternation series of accusations and counter accusations by support groups among the APC caucus in the House.

He said that “we believe it is the aftermath of the gale of defections that had hit the party (APC) in recent times, of which more is being expected. In as much as we will not delve into their personal caucus matters”.

Rep. Golu who chairs the House committee on Legislative Budget and Research further said that “we want to warn that such discussions should start and end at the APC secretariat or the secretariats of the various APC House groups.

“We are keeping our eyes and ears wide open for any such eventuality and to restate our readiness to return fire for fire on anyone thinking of it”.

The group further maintained that “Speaker Yakubu Dogara is on top of his job. He has been doing excellently well, respecting his colleagues and leading with the fear of God and in accordance with the constitution and our House rules.

Meanwhile, trouble is brewing within the APC House caucus, as aggrieved APC lawmakers are revolting against the leadership of the House Leader, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, accusing him of being behind the sinister plot to impeach Speaker Dogara.

The angry APC House members therefore, are said to be launching a counter move to remove the Rep. Gbajabiamila as House Leader.

Already, it was gathered that the lawmakers mostly from the North have gathered almost the required number of signatures within the APC House caucus to actualize their objective.

Apart from blaming Gbajabiamila for instigating the impeachment plot against Dogara, who enjoys bi-partisan support from APC and PDP House members, the lawmakers are aggrieved that he’s been meeting with the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and other party leaders without carrying many of them along.

An APC House member from one of the North West states confirmed that “we are already collating signatures for his removal as majority leader.

“What happened to Lawal Daura will surely happen to Femi because we won’t allow him to plunge the House into crisis”.